Former NHS worker turned pilates instructor offers free classes to help ease lockdown stress

A former NHS worker, who now runs her own pilates studio, is offering free online classes while the country is in lockdown due to Covid-19.

Emma Louise McGlen opened the Pilates and Yoga Studio above Cafe Mio in Sunderland Road, South Shields in September 2019 - after 15 years working as an occupational therapist in the NHS.

The 39-year-old, who also runs a studio in Whickham, Gateshead became an instructor two years ago, after using yoga and pilates to alleviate her own back pain and anxiety.

Now, despite having to close due to lockdown measures last month, she is offering free virtual classes to help others relieve the stresses and pressures of the current challenges.

“In this situation we have all got to chip in and look out for each other,” said the mum-of-two, who lives in Gateshead.

“I put the classes on to try and keep everyone moving - we are all less active because we’re staying at home - and to help people deal with the stress of what is happening.”

Emma continued: “It’s so important to keep our spine and bodies moving in these difficult times, especially as people will be sitting for long periods of time working from home or for our key workers who are currently overloaded with work.“People are going to be experiencing an increase in lower back and neck pain and more tension and stress throughout the body.

“I have a few nurses who have been doing the classes to help with back pain.”

RELATED: Sunderland and South Tyneside NHS workers perform uplifting cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow

She is now running six online classes a week, with people taking part from all over the world including fans in Hungary, America and New Zealand.

“The feedback I have been getting is great, people are finding it really helpful,” she said.

“A lot of men are doing it and people have been joining in with family members – I have mothers and daughters taking part which is nice.

“Just an hour of stretching out and getting your spine moving can make a massive difference.”

For more information and classes visit www.pilatesandyogastudio.co.uk

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.